Weird/creepy/annoying things DC does

[AllisonR]

Yes, everyone has little idiosyncrasies.

When DS comes into a new place, he stops talking and says "Yamma Yamma Yamma" in this high pitched screech, with his mouth wide open. For no reason. It annoys me, though I am not sure why. He also sometimes tries to lick and eat my hair, and gets super close and blows in my face and doesn't stop. This creeps me out frankly. I mostly ignore it, waiting for it to end, but if I am really freaked out, I tell him to stop it.

DD meanwhile finds the mole on my arm, calls it boo-boo, and picks at it. Every.single.day. I tell her to stop, that it is not a boo-boo but my mole. But she does it again and again.

Argh! Someone tell me how to get them to stop. Or that this behavior will end soon. Or how to make myself feel less grossed-out and annoyed.

Rant over.

[deminc]

Originally Posted by AllisonR

Yes, everyone has little idiosyncrasies.

When DS comes into a new place, he stops talking and says "Yamma Yamma Yamma" in this high pitched screech, with his mouth wide open. For no reason. It annoys me, though I am not sure why. He also sometimes tries to lick and eat my hair, and gets super close and blows in my face and doesn't stop. This creeps me out frankly. I mostly ignore it, waiting for it to end, but if I am really freaked out, I tell him to stop it.

DD meanwhile finds the mole on my arm, calls it boo-boo, and picks at it. Every.single.day. I tell her to stop, that it is not a boo-boo but my mole. But she does it again and again.

Well, my ds1 did similar things earlier this year. For annoying vocal stuff, I usually send him to a plant or corner, depending where we are. BUT I don't demand him to stop, unless it's loud and annoying others. I told him that it annoyed ME (and most people), and I didn't like it, so he could go and talk to the potted plants. When he's done, he can join me again. Usually he'll go, yammer on for 5 seconds, bounce back and announced that he's done.

For the "extreme closeness" bit, ds1 did that for a while and it made my hair stand. Then I remembered reading somewhere that boys especially like some form of closeness as a sign of love. (perhaps it's the book "5 languages of love") As a baby, they get lots of hugs and kisses, but as they get older, they may feel embarrassed asking for it, while still needing it. In our case, I had another baby and I realised that ds1's hug quota probably took a nosedive as I was so busy. I made a conscious efforts to give him more hugs, to swing him up in the air like I used to etc, and also told him it's ok to ask for special hugs. The "creepy" behaviour went away by itself in no time at all.

hope that helps.

[Embee]

I've had the best success with this getting too close, touchy-feely not in a good way behavior, by turning things around on DS. If he starts getting all in my face in this way, I reach out and hug and kiss him until he can take no more and "needs some space." I don't tickle or become annoying myself, just give him huge squishy hugs and lots of kisses and tell him how much I love him and I could eat him up, etc. It's a fine line though, he doesn't like feeling trapped and so I'm sure to stop short of that. I want to model restraint afterall in hopes that he will one day approach me in a more appropriate way as well.

For us, this behavior albeit annoying, is nothing more than needing connection. DS knows he can hug me anytime, but sometimes he just plain gets his wires crossed and approaches me in the worst kinds of ways. I believe it happens most when he fears I won't stop and take the time to connect with him; if I've been busy, distracted or otherwise not engaged. Either way, whether he asks me for a hug or gets in my face and gives me a wet, slimy zerburst (EWE!), the underlying need is still one of connection. Once he gets what he needs, our attachment is re-established and he can move on. If the behavior is pervasive, it's usually a sign that he needs some more attention from me and I take some time out to plop down and play. Connect with him in the most meaningful way for him, thereby eliminating his need to get in my face so much.

My .02 for whatever that's worth.

Best of luck!

Em